TABLE 1—

The 3 Most Common State Public Health Genetics Programs, by Provision of Essential Public Health Services

	Genetics Programs
Essential Public Health Servicesa	NBS	Clinical Geneticsb	Birth Defectsc
Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems			Calculate birth defects rates
Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community	Screen newborns before leaving the hospital Process specimens at state labs, often with tandem mass spectrometry		Conduct active and passive surveillance systems monitoring birth defects
Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues	Provide written information for families about NBS	Conduct sickle cell disease outreach efforts	Sponsor folic acid campaigns and teratogen information services
Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems	Partner with universities and advocacy groups to provide services and referrals	Partner with universities and advocacy groups to provide services and referrals	Partner with the March of Dimes for folic acid campaigns
Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts	Change rules and regulations guiding NBS expansion Use advisory committees
Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety	Monitor quality of laboratories used to process NBS specimens
Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable	Refer families whose children are identified by screening Provide assistance with dietary formulas	Sponsor outreach clinics and financial assistance for individuals in need	Sponsor teratogen information services
Ensure a competent public and personal health care workforce	Develop presentations and guidelines to health care providers about NBS	Facilitate consultations between genetic specialists and community health care providers	Sponsor continuing medical education from teratogen information services
Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services	Measure counts of babies screened and conditions detected	Measure counts of individuals served at clinics
Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems			Conduct epidemiological research on birth defects

Note. NBS = newborn screening.

^aServices as defined by Harrell and Baker.12

^bClinical genetic service programs ensure the quality and accessibility of health services with diagnostic evaluations and confirmatory testing, counseling, case management, consultation, referral, and treatment programs for both children and adults with genetic and inherited disorders.

^cThe monitoring, surveillance, and prevention of birth defects.